Job Summary
The laboratory of Dr. Yunlu Zhu in the Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to investigate neuronal and glial mechanisms underlying vestibular function and nervous system regeneration.
The Zhu Laboratory uses zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model and combines genetics, transgenic animal maintenance, fluorescence-based screening, confocal imaging, behavioral assays, experimental design, and quantitative analysis to study neural circuits, glia, immune responses, and regeneration.
The successful candidate will bring experience in zebrafish behavioral neuroscience, quantitative behavioral analysis, and neural activity mapping. The fellow will work closely with the principal investigator to develop an independent research program connecting behavior and neural-circuit function with vestibular biology, neural injury, degeneration, and regeneration. The fellow will also contribute to trainee mentorship, manuscripts, grant applications, scientific presentations, and collaborative projects.
Responsibilities*
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Design and conduct zebrafish experiments investigating vestibular function, neural circuits, glial responses, and mechanisms of neurodegeneration and regeneration.
- Develop and optimize zebrafish behavioral assays.
- Apply quantitative approaches to characterize behavioral variation and relate behavioral phenotypes to neural activity.
- Perform fluorescence-based neural activity mapping, microscopy, image processing, and quantitative analysis.
- Integrate behavioral, anatomical, cellular, and molecular data to investigate mechanisms of nervous system function and repair.
- Assist with breeding, maintenance, tracking, screening, and experimental use of zebrafish lines.
- Perform relevant molecular and cellular techniques, including in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, PCR, and genotyping.
- Maintain accurate experimental records, datasets, protocols, and quality-control procedures.
- Analyze and interpret data using appropriate statistical and computational methods.
- Present findings at laboratory meetings and regional, national, and international scientific conferences.
- Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, figures, and other scientific communications.
- Contribute to fellowship, grant, and collaborative research proposals.
- Mentor undergraduate students and other junior laboratory members.
- Participate in laboratory operations and comply with institutional animal-care, biosafety, and laboratory-safety requirements.
Training and Professional Development
The fellow will receive training in zebrafish genetics, transgenic animal maintenance, vestibular neuroscience, confocal imaging, neural injury and regeneration models, and neuroimmune and glial biology. The position will provide opportunities to develop an independent research direction, mentor trainees, publish research findings, present at scientific meetings, and prepare competitive fellowship and grant applications.
Required Qualifications*
- Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, Biotechnology, or a closely related field.
- Research experience using zebrafish as a vertebrate model system. Familiarity with zebrafish breeding, transgenic line maintenance, embryo and larval handling.
- Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, and quantitatively analyzing zebrafish behavioral assays.
- Experience studying neural circuits, brain activity, or individual differences in behavior.
- Experience with fluorescence-based molecular labeling, microscopy, neuroanatomical mapping, or quantitative image analysis.
- Experience with relevant molecular or cellular biology methods, such as in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, immunodetection, or protein analysis.
- Evidence of scientific productivity, including first-author peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.
- Strong written and oral communication, organizational, and recordkeeping skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Desired Qualifications*
- Expertise in zebrafish behavioral assays.
- Experience integrating behavioral phenotyping with whole-brain neural activity mapping.
- Experience with In Situ Hybridization (ISH), fluorescence microscopy, and zebrafish brain atlases.
- Experience with quantitative behavioral clustering or other computational approaches to behavioral analysis.
- Familiarity with confocal microscopy, neural injury models, regeneration biology, neuroinflammation, glial biology, or vestibular neuroscience.
- Experience mentoring undergraduate students or junior researchers.
- Experience contributing to manuscripts, fellowship or grant applications, and collaborative research.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.